Simons, Target: Quebec's Simons department store expands west as U.S. retailers look north

Simons, the hugely popular Quebec department store, is headed west with a store opening next year in West Edmonton Mall, and owner Peter Simons planning another dozen openings in the rest of Canada.

The plan is to increase the seven Quebec stores to 20 throughout Canada within 10 years, according to a Globe and Mail story. Simons is expanding at a time when U.S. retailers including Target, J.Crew, Nordstrom and J.C. Penney are looking north to Canada, the Globe reports. Later this year, Simons will start offering its e-shopping service to U.S. customers.

Simons is known for its eclectic, fun and well-priced mix of chic, inexpensive styles along with designer lines. The privately-held store generates $600 in sales per square foot — more than three times that at the Bay, Peter Simons told the Globe. Simons also said he invest almost seven times more in his stores than the Bay does. The family-owned business was founded in 1840 by Simons’ great-great-grandfather.